The First Responders Who Rushed to Help
In the moments after the blast of the Oklahoma City bombing, all was chaos. Police, fire and medical teams rushed to the scene. No one knew what had happened. Everyone focused on helping. In the days that followed, more and more agencies were involved. No sector of life went untouched. Hospitals changed their code levels, calling in extra help. Local construction companies provided heavy equipment. The nearby Tinker Air Force Base provided people and gear. Virtually every police, fire and EMSA crew in the state reported to help in any way they could.
Before long, teams poured in from outside of Oklahoma too, including the FBI and multiple urban search and rescue (USAR) teams. This local and national response set the standard for reaction to tragedy. What’s more, the hospitality and warmth of Oklahomans raised the bar for the teams we hosted. According to Dennis Compton of Arizona Task Force One, “We went home with a life lesson on how a community should react to adversity.”
We extend our eternal thanks to each and every individual who gave their all for others.
